English as an additional language
According to the DfE (2022) 'A pupil is recorded to have EAL if they are exposed to a language at home that is known or believed to be other than English'.
The Bell Foundation refers to the term EAL as describing a diverse and heterogeneous group of learners who speak English as an Additional Language. These pupils may also be referred to as bilingual or multilingual.
EAL students have a wide range of experiences, from newly arrived pupils with little, or no English language acquisition to more advanced learners. They have two main tasks in the learning context of the school; they need to learn English and they need to learn the content of the curriculum. The needs of the EAL pupils are distinct though in that they are learning through a language other than their first language. It is important, however, to recognise that pupils learning EAL are as able as any other pupils.
Herefordshire Council's EAL team provides specialist EAL teaching, assessment and support suitable for pupils at all stages of language acquisition and offers assistance for schools by delivering training and guidance on good practice.
We:
- Provide opportunities to network and share good practice
- Provide training opportunities
- Offer a suite of EAL assessments
- Offer support for parents and carers
- Outreach work, delivering 1:1 or group teaching sessions in schools
- Offer support for school staff sharing our knowledge, experience and expertise.
We can provide specialist EAL advisory teachers and teaching assistants who work with school staff to help EAL pupils develop their English and access the curriculum.
We also provide EAL resources for loan.
We help schools to:
- Provide effective learning opportunities for EAL pupils
- Value and celebrate diversity
- Value, maintain and develop the home languages of EAL pupils
- Ensure inclusion and access for EAL pupils
- Review EAL pupil progress, highlighting those pupils at risk of underachievement or in need of further assessment to identify their special educational needs
- Ensure mainstream staff have access to in-service training in relation to linguistic diversity
Documents for use in early years settings, schools and colleges
Support for Ukrainian families arriving in Herefordshire can be found via the Talk Community Directory and in the Support for Ukraine section of the website.
There is also a Hereford Help for Ukraine Facebook group.
Contact details
For further information on the services and support available, please contact: EALservice@herefordshire.gov.uk or phone 01432 383858.